Merlot Embargo – Sticking Around (2022)

Brushes of death tend to be a strong driving force behind some of the greatest projects (creative or not). The idea of not being alive any longer could surely make people think “well, I should do something meaningful and live my best life” – this was the force behind Merlot Embargo (sort of). Following a near-fatal car accident, the US-based husband and wife team reflected on the event and decided to share their music with the world. This is my introduction to the pair, but they are already turning heads on an international level. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Sticking Around’.

From Roadie Music to Song and Story Podcast, Scarlet and Geoff are bringing their unique story and sound to the masses. Following the single ‘Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be?’, the pair adopt an indie-pop sound tinged with elements of indie-rock. Scarlet’s powerful vocals pair perfectly with the instrumentation resulting in a laidback, toe-tapping tune that is easy to listen to. Yet, while there is a soft, soothing sensation to ‘Sticking Around’, the indie-rock guitars, drums and interspersed synths bring an obscure grittiness to the song.

The first single from their yet-to-be-named album (set for release in 2023), ‘Sticking Around’ is an evolution in Merlot Embargo’s sound. Moving from soft folk to more upbeat indie-pop, Merlot Embargo showcases their versatility and innovation as artists.

Touching on the theme of potentially finding yourself in a miserable relationship, the band explain that ‘Sticking Around’ was inspired by the idea of “feeling less of themselves” – “…how awful would it be to have committed yourself to someone that made you feel less than enough on a daily basis…” While the theme could be considered melancholic, Merlot Embargo aims to “bring people joy, but with moments of self-reflection and retrospection.” In their single ‘Sticking Around’, they do just this.

For more from Merlot Embargo check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator